Colaiacovo ready for Flyers debut

Veteran defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo, who signed with the Flyers on Friday, says he feels well prepared to make his debut with his latest team on Tuesday against the visiting Edmonton Oilers.

During practice Monday at the Skate Zone, Colaiacovo was paired with Luke Schenn, a former Toronto Maple Leafs teammate for part of the 2008-09 season. Colaiacovo also worked on the second power-play unit.

"I have been putting in a lot of work the last few days, making sure my legs feel good, my body feels good," Colaiacovo, 31, said after practice.

Flyers coach Craig Berube said that Colaiacovo and Schenn should work well together.

"Coly likes to get up ice and make plays, and we talked about having a puck mover with a defensive guy, so that is part of it," Berube said.

Colaiacovo had two stints with St. Louis in addition to playing with Toronto and Detroit. He played in 25 games last year for St. Louis. Colaiacovo has appeared in 401 NHL games, with 31 goals and 113 assists.

After a deal to play in Russia hit a snag, he signed a two-way, $625,000 contract with the Flyers.

His roster spot could be in jeopardy when Flyers defensemen Braydon Coburn (left foot) and Andrew MacDonald (right knee) return, possibly this month.

"That is out of my control, and all I can control is how I play," Colaiacovo said. "I am here as a Flyer and hope to be part of this team for the long run."

Coburn hasn't played since the opening 2-1 loss in Boston on Oct. 8. He skated during practice but didn't take part in contact drills.

Coburn did not have a timetable but said he was not feeling any pain. He said his foot "feels a lot better."

All signs point to Steve Mason's making his second consecutive start in goal, although Berube did not name his choice the day before the game. Mason, who is 0-4-1 with an .887 save percentage, sat out four straight games before playing well in Saturday's 2-1 loss at Florida.

"It's been a trying start to the season, but you stay positive and keep working hard and eventually it will turn around," Mason said.

The Flyers will not face defenseman Andrew Ference, Edmonton's captain, who was suspended Monday for three games for an illegal check to the head of Vancouver forward Zack Kassian during Saturday's 3-2 loss to visiting Vancouver. Leading scorer Taylor Hall, who has 10 points, is also out after suffering a sprained knee on Saturday.